Diverse and highly cross-reactive T-cell responses in ragweed allergic patients independent of geographical region.

Background: Ragweed frequently causes seasonal allergies in North America and Europe. In the United States, several related ragweed species with diverse geographical distribution cause allergic symptoms. Cross-reactivity towards related ragweed species of IgE and treatment-induced IgG has been demonstrated previously.

The prevalence of non organ specific and thyroid autoimmunity in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is commonly associated with endocrine, metabolic, cardiovascular and other morbidities. However its association with autoimmune diseases is still controversial.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of non organ-specific and antithyroid, antibodies in PCOS women compared to healthy controls.

Incidence of antibodies in women after failure of assisted reproduction.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine to what degree antisperm allo-antibodies (ASA), anti-ovarian antibodies (AOA), anti-zona pellucida antibodies (AZPA) and seven anti-phospholipid antibodies (APLA) can explain the failure of assisted reproduction technology (ART) in women.

Background: Among the causes of reproductive failure are allo- and autoimmune reactions of the organism against reproductive tissues and cells.

Methods: We examined a sample of 43 selected women aged 27 to 45 after failure of assisted reproduction technology (ART) via intrauterine insemination (IUI), in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

No indication of strict host associations in a widespread mycoparasite: grapevine powdery mildew (Erysiphe necator) is attacked by phylogenetically distant Ampelomyces strains in the field.

Pycnidial fungi belonging to the genus Ampelomyces are common intracellular mycoparasites of powdery mildews worldwide. Some strains have already been developed as commercial biocontrol agents (BCAs) of Erysiphe necator and other powdery mildew species infecting important crops. One of the basic, and still debated, questions concerning the tritrophic relationships between host plants, powdery mildew fungi, and Ampelomyces mycoparasites is whether Ampelomyces strains isolated from certain species of the Erysiphales are narrowly specialized to their original mycohosts or are generalist mycoparasites of many powdery mildew fungi.

First Report of Powdery Mildew on Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) Caused by Golovinomyces biocellatus in Hungary.

Lemon balm is a well-known perennial, medicinal and culinary herb, and also a melliferous plant that is grown commercially in many parts of the world including Hungary. In October 2009, symptoms of powdery mildew infection were observed on lemon balm plants grown in several gardens in Budapest, Maklár, and Eger, Hungary, as well as in Ghenci, Romania. Abundant mycelium and conidial sporulation was observed on both leaf surfaces and stems.